2020 has been a tough year for all of us – coronavirus has affected us in more ways than one. For example, we may have been stuck at home when we didn’t want to be, kept apart from friends and family members.
It’s that second part we want to focus on here: if there’s one thing we need right now, it’s strong relationships to help us get through this time. Strong relationships are one of the most potent factors that will help us on our way to GR8NESS.
There’s no need to let relationships deteriorate because we might not be able to see each other as often as we are used to. On the contrary, Covid-19 has shown us how important technology is to stay connected with one another.
As the holidays approach and our thoughts turn to gift-giving, it’s a good time to consider gifts that can bring people together, even if it’s virtual.
Here are some of the best 2020 tech gifts you can get for your friends and family during the holiday season. We’ll take a look at great gifts for teens, adult men and women, seniors, and families as a whole. Let’s start with teens.
Tech Gifts for Teens
Nintendo Switch
The Nintendo Switch is Nintendo’s most popular gaming system in years. It already has a fairly lengthy list of classic games such as Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild or Super Mario Odyssey. Be sure to invest in the regular Nintendo Switch as Opposed to the Nintendo Switch Lite, since the Lite is only handheld, whereas the regular version can also be connected to a TV. It’s definitely worth the $100 extra cost as a Switch is a long-term investment.
It will provide hours of fun for your teen and the whole family, with plenty of classic games already part of its library soon to be released. Be on the lookout for sales around Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and also keep in mind you can get the system in a few different colors, including red and blue.
Apple Air Pods
Apple Air Pods are wireless headphones that can be connected to your teen’s iPhone, but also to Android, Bluetooth devices, and Mac computers. These deliver high-quality sound without the bother of wires and can be purchased in “Pro” or regular form. AirPod Pros include active noise cancellation, but besides this difference, the two types are very similar.
Air Pods also allow you to connect with Siri simply by saying “Hey Siri,” so that you can easily get answers to questions or directions to a location. They provide around 5 hours of listening time before needing to be recharged.
Disney+ Subscription
For the Disney lovers in your family, a subscription to the Disney + streaming services makes an excellent gift. An entire years’ worth of streaming costs for only $70 and, with an active Disney+ subscription, your teen (not to mention everyone else in the house) gets access to countless Disney movies classic and new, Marvel movies and shows, tons of Star Wars content, and more.
Tech Gifts For Men
GoProHero 8 Black
Is your friend or family member an outdoorsy type? The GoProHero 8 will make a good companion for those who want to record their outdoor exploits, from mountain biking to boating, or even just going for a run around the block.
This device records 4k video at 60 fps, making it one of the highest-quality GoPro devices available. It’s also completely waterproof and comes with an integrated mount.
Dji Mavic Mini
Not all drones need to run into the thousands of dollars, and the Dji Mavic Mini is an example of an awesome drone that won’t break the bank. The Mavic Mini is called such for a reason – it’s small enough to fit into the palm of your hand.
Its small size doesn’t compromise on quality, though, as you can still shoot 2.7k video that’s high-quality enough to be used for YouTube videos or advertisements. Even if you don’t want to record video, this little drone is a blast to fly around either inside or, preferably, in the great outdoors.
Logitech Pro X WirelessGaming Headset
For the gamer in your family, few things can improve the experience of playing a fun, immersive game than great sound, which is exactly what the Logitech Pro8 Gaming Headset offers.
Any PC gamer will know that wires can sometimes get in the way, which makes the fact that this headset is wireless a nice, added perk. This design has improved its bass component from its wired counterpart and offers surround sound, which seeks to enhance distance effects in-game. For a high-quality gaming headset, it comes at a fairly reasonable price, too.
Tech Gifts for Women
Natural Stone, Fast Wireless Charger by Eggtronic
Everyone’s got a smartphone these days, but what could be more annoying than realizing it barely has any battery an hour before you have to go out. With the Fast Charger from Eggtronic, you not only get your phone’s battery restored in a short time, but you can also do it with style.
This device, created from natural stone, blends in well in any area of your home. You’re getting a device that has not only function, but a great form.
Smart Jewelry
Smart jewelry such as the Motiv Ring or the Bellabeat Leaf Urban Health Tracker combine form and functionality in an unprecedented way–they’re pieces of jewelry mixed with technology that allows wearers to, for example, track calories burned, steps taken, or even menstrual cycles and stress levels.
Maybe your partner already wanted some type of fitness tracker, but you know they also love jewelry. With smart jewelry, you get the perfect combination of both and, for a gift that’s uniquely 2020s, you should consider a piece of smart jewelry.
Blue Light Blocking Glasses
More and more people are becoming aware of the negative effects of blue light that’s emitted by electronic devices–for one, this light can stimulate us, making it hard to sleep. A simple solution to these problems comes in the form of blue-light blocking glasses. These make it so you can use electronic devices (such as those on this list) without having to worry about the negative effects that accompany their use.
Blue-light blocking glasses – like any other type of glasses – can also be chic and stylish. We recommend the pair from Gamma Ray, which looks great on both men and women.
Tech Gifts for Seniors
Microsoft LifeCam HD-3000
Webcams allow us to connect with one another even when far apart. Maybe your older parent doesn’t have the best smartphone around or doesn’t understand it too well. On the other hand, maybe they just prefer to use a desktop computer.
In that case, they’ll need a webcam. Microsoft’s LifeCam HD-3000 is one of the best available for the cost.
MedMinder
MedMinder is a high-tech medication dispenser that reminds a person to take their medications in more ways in one: for example, the flashing lights. If you have an older loved one who’s often forgetting to take their medication, this could make an excellent gift.
Garmin Vivoactive 4
If your older parent, friend, or other family member has been looking to get some exercise in during quarantine, the Garmin VivoActive 4 makes a great gift option. This watch tracks steps taken, energy levels and even includes apps like yoga or swimming. The other cool thing about this “smartwatch” is that the user can download playlists of music and listen to them as they’re exercising.
Tech Gifts for the Whole Family
Elephas 2020 Mini Movie Projector
Movies and TV series bring the family together, but you don’t actually need to watch them on the TV – with a mini-movie projector, such as this one from Elephas, you can watch them on any wall available. You can also play video games wherever you like. There’s no need to move a TV from room to room as with this device you can have a “TV” in any room with very little effort. Of course, you can also watch movies outside with this projector, which makes a lot of sense during Covid-19 while outdoor gatherings are advised.
Additionally, the Mini-Movie Projector from Elephas can connect to your iPhone or Android device.
Portal Smart Camera from Facebook
The Portal Smart Camera from Facebook is called “smart” for a reason – if you’re on a video call with a friend or family member and walk out of frame, the camera will actually adjust to follow you. It also includes augmented reality effects that you can have fun with or, as the developer suggests, use to enhance story time with the kids. When not in use, the Portal functions as a picture frame, showing your photos from Facebook and can also be used to remind you of important dates such as birthdays.
This device is easy for everyone to use, even those who aren’t particularly tech-savvy. It can be used via Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp.
Instant Pot Pressure Cooker
The Instant Pot is loved by many for its ability to cook up a variety of meals relatively quickly and easily – it even comes with a bunch of preset recipes. Whether you want to cook up spaghetti and meatballs, chicken and mashed potatoes, or even bake a cake, Instant Pot makes it easy to do without a huge mess. This makes a great holiday gift that can be used for New Years’ and throughout 2021.
Depending on how many people you want to cook for, there’s also a few different sizes. Nothing brings family together like a delicious meal made with love.
There are many great 2020 tech gifts – these are just some of our best suggestions that’ll give you a fun holiday season and beyond. They’ll bring your family together, strengthen relationships, and provide a firm foundation for GR8NESS. Happy holidays!